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Mauricio Pochettino claimed it is easier for new players to settle at Manchester City than at Chelsea due to the huge upheaval at Stamford Bridge during the last 18 months.<\/p>\n
Eight of the 11 that started Chelsea\u2019s 4-1 win at Pochettino\u2019s former side Tottenham on Monday have joined since owner Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022, with a further nine named amongst the substitutes.<\/p>\n
Only three of the side that began Chelsea\u2019s 1-0 victory over City in the 2021 Champions League final are still at the club \u2013 Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva \u2013 whilst all 12 of the substitutes from the game in Porto have departed, along with manager Thomas Tuchel.<\/p>\n
By contrast, Pep Guardiola can still call upon seven of the 11 that started in the final, with the group having formed the nucleus of the side that won the competition last season along with the Premier League title and FA Cup.<\/p>\n
Few of the players signed by Chelsea under Boehly have enjoyed an instant impact despite a combined total transfer outlay of over \u00a31billion, whereas City have seamlessly incorporated new recruits into their side, most notably Erling Haaland who netted 52 times during his debut season.<\/p>\n
Ahead of Sunday\u2019s meeting with the champions at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino said much of that contrast in fortunes is down to City already having in place the kind of settled culture that he is starting to build at Chelsea.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you arrive at a club and in a team that is very confident and solid in how they operate and in their structure, always it\u2019s easier,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you arrive at a club that is in a process of building something \u2013 (City) are ahead (of Chelsea).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a player arrives in a very consistent organisation, it\u2019s only about performing. But the possibility of a player signed by City to perform is higher than if we sign a player here, at the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying to find the best organisation, the best way to operate, the best way to play, to know each other. At City, you arrive and Pep\u2026 doesn\u2019t need to talk too much. The player knows everything they need to do and how they need to behave.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know how it works, the club. But here we are all new. Too many players (are new) and the organisation is in a moment where it is evolving and developing, and trying to find the best way to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
One player who has impressed since arriving at Stamford Bridge is Cole Palmer, who swapped the Etihad Stadium for west London on the final day of the transfer window.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old has been a standout performer during the improved form that has seen Chelsea win three of their last five in the league and discover an attacking fluency that was conspicuously absent last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not fair to say it surprised me (that City let Palmer go) because now he\u2019s performing and he didn\u2019t play too much at City,\u201d said Pochettino. \u201cWe\u2019re two different clubs with different visions and different objectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe Chelsea fits really well for Cole, but maybe it would have happened with different players.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if there was a player whom Palmer reminds him of, Pochettino added: \u201c(Angel) Di Maria, no? It\u2019s difficult find someone to compare.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Argentina winger struggled after swapping Real Madrid for Manchester United in 2014 and never settled in England, a problem Manchester-born Palmer has not faced.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s from Manchester,\u201d said Pochettino. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy for a Manchester boy to come to London and to adapt and to settle here.<\/p>\n
\u201c(But) he knows the Premier League. It\u2019s easy for him to adapt a new club. When a player comes from outside of England, you don\u2019t know if they\u2019ll understand the language, culture, food, weather.\u201d<\/p>\n